There are two powerful ideas in fetal and infant development that can seem a bit contradictory. The first is the idea that human beings are extraordinarily resilient, that we are hardwired to grow and develop and that redundancy is built into our systems, which enables us to bounce back from developmental setbacks and work around environmental hardships. The second is that environmental conditions, whether in the womb or in an infant's diet, can program outcomes in an infant that will reach far into that individual's future, even into adulthood.

Both ideas are true, which only adds to their mystery, and our confusion. Human beings are indeed remarkably resilient and developmentally redundant in many areas, which enables infants and children to grow and develop even under considerably less than ideal conditions. But at the same time, researchers are also discovering ever more evidence that early exposure to certain environmental and dietary factors, as well as early deficiencies, can indeed have long-term effects.

As a nation, we are increasingly aware of the toll that poor nutrition takes, on children as well as adults. The fact that obesity is growing as a global problem only underscores the need for good infant nutrition that extends into childhood and beyond.

Researchers and health care professionals who work with the nutritional needs of children agree that the early developmental period is critical. As registered dietitian Julie Balay says, "Moms are increasingly worried that what they are doing either during pregnancy or during infancy could affect their baby's chance of getting heart disease, for example, at 40 or 50." The point, however, says Balay, is not to make anyone feel guilty, but rather to increase the awareness that nutrition matters in both the short term and the long term.

If you think about the conversations that parents have when they are expecting a baby, they are unanimous in saying that they want healthy, happy babies; that they want their babies to grow and experience the world and to meet each of the important developmental milestones along the way. Good nutrition is a critically important part of that process. It is the cornerstone that supports the foundation of healthy infant growth and development. And beyond.